The Fan Club Rings were produced by ‘The Phantom Club’ of Australia in the 1980’s in Australia. The Good Mark and Skull Mark rings were offered to club members.
‘The Independent Phantom Club’, formerly known as ‘The Phantom Club’ of Australia was founded by John Henderson in 1981 Coorparoo, Queensland, Australia and ended in 1995. During this 14+ year period, the club was very active with its promotion of the Phantom on T.V and Radio, and in newspapers and magazines.
As there’s no specific publication dates on any of the Fan Clubs newsletters, we can’t be entirely sure as to when the name changed from ‘The Phantom Club’ to ‘The Independent Phantom Club’.
What we can determine through evidence found in Fan Club Merchandise Catalogs, such as items for sale which were produced in 1991 suggest that ‘The Independent Phantom Club’ was still active in 1991. We also find evidence in the last published newsletter, number 41, where we see information about the 1996 Phantom movie. Club memberships were also still being issued until 1995, however it’s likely that from 1991 thru to 1995, as the club began to wind down, that they were operating in limited capacity.
The first Phantom Fan Club advertisement appeared on the back cover of Australian Frew Publications Phantom comic number 736 in 1981, with its last advertisement appearing in comic number 926 in 1989. Over 9 years, 99 different style advertisements ran in 212 consecutive Phantom comics, advertising its wide range of collectibles and club membership information.
The club published a total of 41 Fan Club newsletters titled ‘Jungle Beat’. Issue number 1 thru to 21 under the club name of ‘The Phantom Club’, then from issue number 22 thru number 41 under the club name of ‘Independent Phantom Club’ of Australia.
Aside from Frew Publications advertisements, the club also produced Club Member Newsletters and Product Catalogs advertising its wide range of available collectibles. The club published 8 different Product Catalogs containing 4 to 8 pages in each, plus 11 green, 3 yellow, 5 blue, 2 white and 1 pink Product Order Forms.
Sterling Silver & Gold Ring Sets
Although advertisements for the Solid Sterling Silver and Gold Ring sets were published as early as comic number 799 in 1984 (see below advertisement), these were text and rough draft images of the ring sets available. The first illustrated/accurate depiction of the Sterling Silver Ring set was featured on the back cover of comic number 836 in 1985 (see below advertisement). Solid Sterling Silver and Gold Ring sets were advertised in multiple Fan Club Flyers and Club Product Catalogs.
Silver Plated Ring Set
A more affordable option to the Solid Sterling Silver and Gold Ring sets was a Silver Plate Ring set available two years later, as seen in comic book number 878 in 1987. The Silver Plate Ring set was also advertised in the 6th issue of the Fan Clubs Product Catalog.
The below is a list of Frew Publications Phantom comic book advertisements, that referenced the 1980’s Phantom Fan Club Good Mark and Skull Mark ring sets:
Ad Style A: (1984 Pre Production Sketched Example 1) #799, #800
Ad Style B: (1984 Pre Production Sketched Example) #801, #802
Ad Style C: (1984 Text Only Example) #812, #813
Ad Style D: (1985 Pre Production Sketched Example 2) #822, #822
Ad Style E: (1985 Text Only Example) #825, #826
Ad Style F: (1985 First Accurate Depiction of Ring) #836, #837
Ad Style G: (1986 Text Only Example) #866, #867
The below is a list of Frew Publications Phantom comic book advertisements, that referenced both the 1980’s Phantom Fan Club Sterling Silver and Silver Plated Ring sets:
Ad Style H: (1987 Photo Example) #878, #879, #889
Ad Style I: (1987 Text Only Example) #887, #889
Ad Style J: (1987 Text Only Example) #892, #893, #894
Ad Style K: (1988-1989 Text Only Example) #920, #922
Ad Style L: (1989 Photo Example – last issue of Club advertisement) #926
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
The Phantom 